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Effect of dexamethasone on quality of life in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a prospective observational study
- Source :
- Health and quality of life outcomes, 6(1). BioMed Central, Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, de Vries, M A, van Litsenburg, R R L, Huisman, J, Grootenhuis, M A, Versluys, B A, Kaspers, G J L & Gemke, R J B J 2008, ' Effect of dexamethasone on quality of life in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a prospective observational study ', Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, vol. 6, 103 . https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-6-103, Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, Vol 6, Iss 1, p 103 (2008), Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 6:103. BioMed Central
- Publication Year :
- 2008
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2008.
-
Abstract
- Background Glucocorticoids are important in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, cyclic administration of high dose glucocorticoids may cause rapid and substantial changes in quality of life (QoL). The maintenance phase of the Dutch ALL-9 protocol consisted of alternating two weeks on and five weeks off dexamethasone (6 mg/m2/day). The present study was performed to assess the effect of dexamethasone on QoL during treatment for ALL according to this protocol. Methods In a multicentre prospective cohort study, QoL was assessed halfway (T1) and at the end of the two-year treatment (T2). A generic (Child Health Questionnaire) and disease specific (PedsQL™ cancer version) QoL questionnaire were used to assess QoL in two periods: on and off dexamethasone, respectively. Results 41 children (56% males) were evaluated, mean age at diagnosis was 5.6 years. The CHQ physical and psychosocial summary scores were significantly lower than population norms. At T1 and T2, overall QoL showed no significant change. However, regarding specific domains (pain, cognitive functioning, emotion/behaviour and physical functioning) QoL decreased over time. QoL was significantly more impaired during periods on dexamethasone. Conclusion Dexamethasone was associated with decreased QoL. At the end of treatment, reported QoL during dexamethasone deteriorated even more on certain scales (pain, cognitive functioning, emotion/behaviour and physical functioning). Knowledge of the specific aspects of QoL is essential to improve counselling and coping in paediatric oncology. Adverse effects of specific drugs on QoL should be taken into account when designing treatment protocols.
- Subjects :
- Male
Pediatrics
medicine.medical_specialty
Coping (psychology)
Adolescent
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
Population
Observation
lcsh:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics
Dexamethasone
Statistics, Nonparametric
Surveys and Questionnaires
medicine
Humans
Prospective Studies
Cognitive skill
Child
Adverse effect
Prospective cohort study
education
Netherlands
education.field_of_study
business.industry
Research
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
General Medicine
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
humanities
Child, Preschool
Quality of Life
lcsh:R858-859.7
Female
Observational study
business
Psychosocial
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14777525
- Volume :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....0a48ebbc2dd5f29221b3a8a326a55969